Exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus for providing an upper body workout by simulating an upper body running action, comprises a frame ( 1 ), a cable-operated force transfer device ( 29 ) mounted on the frame, and a position adjustable guide means ( 17 ) for deflecting the path of the cable ( 31 ) between the force transfer device and a manually operable means ( 32 ) attached to the free end of the cable.

This invention relates to an exercise apparatus and more particularly to an exercise apparatus for use in the rehabilitation of lower body injuries where it is desired for an individual to maintain upper body strength whilst the lower body injury is receiving treatment.

A lower body injury such as a muscle tear, ligament damage, strain, fracture or leg break can leave a person incapacitated for a substantial period of time which may extend over many months. This is inconvenient for anyone but for someone who likes to keep fit or especially for a professional sports player, such an enforced period of inactivity could be detrimental to their overall fitness and ultimately their career.

By way of example, a professional football player who suffers an injury for example during training or whilst playing must maintain their general fitness levels even whilst unable to exercise or undergoing controlled or limited exercise of the part of the body to which the injury has occurred. This ensures that when the injury has healed, the player is able to resume full training and attain the required fitness levels as soon as possible to limit the amount of time out of the game.

Where the injury in question relates to the lower body, in some cases depending upon the type and location of the injury, the player may be encouraged to adopt a training method which does not put stress on the site of the injury, in other words upper body exercises. Therefore, instead of exercises involving running or cycling, the player may follow a programme that concentrates the workout on the upper body muscle groups to attain or maintain pre injury aerobic fitness levels.

A known upper body exercise apparatus is a pull up bar. This is a horizontal bar which is provided at a height which enables the user to hang from the bar whist holding their feet up off the floor. During the exercise, the patient uses their upper body strength to raise themselves up to touch the bar with their chin.

Whilst this is a very effective apparatus in strengthening upper body muscle groups, it is not ideal for use in all cases.

One form of exercise apparatus which is generally used to maintain aerobic fitness levels while treating a lower body injury is a hand cycle. This is similar to a bicycle but with pedals which are manipulated by the hand rather than by the foot. The pedals are provided at the appropriate height for the patient, which would normally be in front of the chest. The hand cycle is either mounted on an apparatus upon which or at which the patient sits or alternatively may be formed as a simple hand held device.

The pedals are grasped by the hands and rotated in order to exercise the upper body muscles, particularly those of the arms and chest.

Whist hand cycles can provide an upper body workout the movement recreated is more akin to a swimming stroke with the arms describing a circling movement in front of the body.

A fundamental exercise which is used by any individual who wishes to increase their fitness levels or by professional sportsmen/women is running. This gives a simple and effective full upper and lower body workout with the legs abdomen chest and arms all working in tandem during the exercise. Whilst running provides a good overall workout which can be used in certain circumstances in the rehabilitation of either upper or lower body injuries, it is not always convenient for the individual to head out for a run either due to the nature of the injury being treated or for practical reasons where treatment is being carried out at home or in a clinical environment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus for exercising the upper body which recreates a running movement with the arms to provide a cardiovascular workout whilst lower body injuries are rested.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an exercise apparatus for providing an upper body workout by simulating an upper body running action, the apparatus comprising a frame, a cable operated force transfer device mounted on the frame, and a position adjustable guide means for deflecting the path of the cable between the force transfer device and a manually operable means attached to the free end of the cable to reflect the users upper body running action.

Preferably, a pair of independently adjustable guide means are mounted on the frame.

Advantageously, the guide means are pivotally mounted on the frame.

Conveniently, means are provided for locking the guide means in a selected position relative to the frame.

Preferably, the guide means are mounted on a substantially vertical support member of the apparatus.

Alternatively, the guide means are mounted on a substantially horizontal support member of the apparatus.

Preferably also, the apparatus comprises a seating platform upon which the user sits to complete the exercise.

Conveniently the seating platform is height adjustable.

Advantageously, the apparatus further comprises legs which may be height adjustable.

Preferably the legs are telescopically arranged to adjust the height of the seating platform.

Preferably also, the force transfer device is provided with means are provided for adjusting the resistance of the exercise thereby changing the intensity of the workout.

Advantageously, the resistance adjustment means comprises means for tensioning the cable.

In an alternative embodiment the guide means may comprise an arcuate track which is mounted adjacent the side of the seating platform.

Preferably the manually operable means comprises a handle

Advantageously the manually operable means comprises a substantially tubular member which surrounds the forearm of the user.

Conveniently, the tubular member is provided with an adjustable strap to hold the tubular member in position on the forearm.

Preferably the tubular member has an end stop which supports the elbow of the user during the exercise.

Advantageously, the cable is attached to the manually operable means via the end stop.

Alternatively the manually operable means comprises a dolly adapted for travel along the track

Conveniently roller is mounted on the outer surface of the guide means over which the cable runs.

Preferably the roller has a waist to maintain the cable in position thereon.

Advantageously the roller is mounted for rotation on an axle fixed in position between two flanges on the outer surface of the guide means.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view from the rear of an exercise apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a still further embodiment of the present invention.

Turning now to the drawings there is shown in FIG. 1 one embodiment of an exercise apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus generally comprises a chair upon which the user sits whilst performing the exercise. The chair or platform comprises a frame 1 which in the embodiment shown includes side support members 2, front legs 3, rear legs 4 and substantially vertical back supports 5. The frame may be formed of extruded tubular elements such as aluminium steel or stainless steel tubes or any other suitable material.

A seat 6 is mounted between the side support members 2. In the embodiment shown, the seating platform is generally rectangular and is provided with upper and lower hollow tubular mounting members 7 at the top and bottom of two opposed sides of the seat.

The hollow tubular mounting members 7 are sized to receive the ends of the side support members 2. The front mounting members of the seating platform have an aperture 8 through one side thereof which is sized to receive the upper end of the front legs 3. The upper end of the rear legs 4 of the support are received in the other end of the rear mounting members 7, remote from the side support members 2.

The upper surface 9 of the seat is provided with a raised portion 10 adjacent the front edge thereof as will be described further below.

The remote end of each of the front and rear legs 3,4 of the chair is provided with a foot 11 which stabilises the chair in use.

A foot rest 12 is mounted between the front legs 3 of the chair. The foot rest is a horizontal plate which is provided with mounting members 13 at the rear side edges thereof. The mounting members 13 are similar to the mounting members 7 of the seat.

A back cushion 14 is provided between the vertical back supports 5 of the chair. The back cushion in the embodiment shown is substantially rectangular and is provided with hollow tubular mounting members 15 along each short edge of the cushion which are sized to receive the vertical back support members 5 therethrough.

An additional lumbar cushion 16 as shown in FIG. 1 may be mounted between the vertical back supports 5 of the chair. In the embodiment shown, the lumbar cushion 16 is mounted between the seat 6 and the back cushion 14.

Guide members 17 are pivotally mounted on the free end of the vertical back supports 5 of the chair. In this embodiment the guide members comprise a generally L-shaped planar body 18, the lower leg 19 of which extends downwards behind the back support 5 and the upper leg 20 of which extends forwards over the chair.

An aperture 21 is provided in the upper leg 20 to receive the free end of the vertical back support 5. A threaded nut 22 is mounted through the aperture and is received within the upper end of the vertical back support 5 which is provided with a corresponding internal screw thread (not shown).

The remote end of the lower leg 19 of the guide member has an outwardly curved profile 23 which in the position shown in FIG. 1 extends laterally of the seat 6. An aperture 24 is provided in the curved profile as will be described further below.

In the embodiment shown, a pair of independently position adjustable guide members 17 are shown mounted on the chair,

A roller 25 is mounted on each guide member 17 adjacent the transition from the lower leg 19 to the upper leg 20. The roller is mounted on a guide pin 26 which extends between two upstanding flanges 27 on the guide means. The roller has a waist 28 wherein the diameter of the roller is decreased as will be described further below.

A cable operated force transfer device 29 is mounted on the back of the chair between the vertical back support members 5. In the embodiment shown, the device is a cylinder 30 of a known type which transfers lateral motion of the arm of the user into rotation motion of one or more disk(s) within the cylinder (not shown). In the present embodiment, two cables 31 extend through apertures 32 in the cylinder and pass over the waist 28 of the rollers 25, down through the apertures 24 in the curved profile of the guide means and terminate at a user interface handle 32. The cables are mounted within the cylinder to separate rotating discs such that independent movement of each cable produces rotation of one of the discs within the cylinder.

The handle 32 comprises a curved support member 33 which is adapted to at least partially surround the forearm of a user of the apparatus. This provides support without fully surrounding the forearm whilst the hands can be left free to assume a natural position during the excercise. The support member may be formed of a moulded plastics material or fabric or any other suitable material which is comfortable to use. The support member has a rear end 34 which provides an elbow support in use. The cable 31 passes through an aperture (not shown) in the rear end 34 of the handle and is fixed therein to hold the cable in position.

The other end of the handle remote from the elbow support 34 may be provided with a manually graspable extension piece which is shown in the current embodiment as a curved tongue 35 which arcs over the curved support member 33.

The other end of the cables remote from the handles 32 are fixed independently within the cylinder 30 to allow for selected movement of either cord by the user. Means (not shown) are provided for adjusting the tension on the cables and thereby adjusting the resistance offered during an exercise to the user.

The use of the apparatus for providing an upper body exercise will now be described.

A user with a lower body injury, or indeed anyone wishing to have an upper body workout sits on the seat 6 of the apparatus. The height of the seat should be adjusted for the comfort of the user by extending or shortening the legs 3,4 of the chair by adjusting the length of the legs extending from each of the mounting means 7 on the seat.

The height of the foot rest 12 is similarly adjusted together with the height of the back support 5 and the guide means 17.

The angle of the guide members 17 relative to one another is adjusted in order to suit the upper body running style of the user. The threaded nut 22 is loosened to allow the orientation of the guide means to be altered. The guide means are then independently pivoted to the required orientation, and the threaded nut 22 is retightened within the upper end of the vertical support means 5 to hold the guide means in the selected operating position.

As shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the guide members 17 are both angled inwardly at the free ends by a similar amount which would reflect a cross body running style, however the amount of adjustment of each guide means may be selected by the user independently of the other.

The level of resistance of the exercise is adjusted by the user in a known manner by adjusting a variable operating parameter of the force transfer device 29. For example, the tension on the cables 31 may be increased to increase the force required by the user to rotate the or each disk within the cylinder.

The user then sits on the seat 6 placing one leg on either side of the raised front portion 10 of the seating platform. This helps to keep the user in a comfortable position during the exercise. The feet are then placed upon the footrest 12.

The user places their forearms into the curved support members 33. The hands may be left free or alternatively may grip the curved tongues 35. As the patient simulates a running action with the arms, each cable 31 is firstly pulled from the cylinder 30 of the force transfer device causing rotation of a disk within the cylinder, passing around the roller 25 and through the aperture 24 in the end of the guide members 17. The waist 28 of the roller functions to bias the cable 31 to the centre of the roller and prevents the cable from riding over the end of the roller and becoming fouled on the pin 26.

At the end of the forward stroke, tension on the cable is released and the cable is then retracted back into the cylinder 30 passing through the aperture in the guide means and over the waist of the roller. Each cable may be attached within the cylinder to a separate disk such that the pulling on one cable does not result in a simultaneous retraction of the other cable by the force transfer device.

During the return stroke, the support member 33 supports the users elbow and ensures that the cable 31 does not inhibit the free movement of the users arm backwards during the stroke.

The independent adjustment of the orientation of the guide members 17 allows users with a cross body running style to comfortably use the machine and obtain as effective a workout as someone with a more standard straight upper body running action.

In one embodiment of the application the exercise apparatus may be connected to a video screen (not shown) which is programmed with a virtual scene to represent the position of the user on a running track. As the user completes the exercise, their position on the track changes. The speed at which the user exercises will also effect the changing position of the user on the screen. The screen may be mounted upon the free end of one of the guide members 17 and be selectively positionable such that in use the screen is positioned in front of the user and within their normal field of vision. Alternatively, the screen may be mounted on a wall or positioned adjacent to the apparatus during use.

It is also readily apparent that the apparatus could form part of a virtual reality experience where the user wears a lightweight headset which simulates the view of the user upon a running track. Such technology is already known in relation to game playing apparatus and could readily be adapted for use with an apparatus as described herein.

Modifications or improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, an electronic counter may be provided on the apparatus to provide feedback to the user. In common with known exercise apparatus, the counter may record the number of repetitions of the exercise, the number of calories burnt or the time elapsed from the start of the exercise.

A belt or strap (not shown) may be provided on the chair to hold the user firmly in position during the exercise. This may be a VELCRO® strap which is connected to the side support members 2 of the seat 6. A further similar belt or strap may be provided between the front legs 3 of the chair to hold the users legs firmly in position on the foot rest 12. A further releasable belt or strap may be provided on the support means to secure the support means over the forearm of the user.

Whilst the seat 6, foot rest 12, lumbar cushion 16 and back cushion 14 are described above as individually adjustable members, they may be replaced with a preformed seat 36 as shown in FIG. 3 which is mounted on the support member, legs and back members of the chair. Means may be provided for adjusting the angle of the chair between the seat and back portions thereof between the seat and foot rest in accordance with known technology.

The legs 3,4 and back supports 5 of the chair may be telescopic in order to facilitate height adjustment of the apparatus for an individual user. The curved support member may be replaced by a simple handle which is gripped by the user during the exercise.

The L-shaped guide members 17 may be replaced with guide members having some other shape or form. Such modified guide members may be planar or may have another form such as tubular or dished. In one embodiment the guide members may comprise tracks 37 which may be arcuate or partially arcuate. The tracks may be mounted on either side of the chair as shown in FIG. 3. The handles 32 may be retained or replaced by a sleeve 38 which runs over the track 37 and upon which is mounted a cuff which can be attached over the forearm of the user. Alternatively a handle (not shown) may be provided on the sleeve 38 for manual gripping by the user.

As described in relation to the embodiment of FIG. 1, in this embodiment the orientation of the arcuate tracks 37 may be independently adjusted to suit the upper body running style of the user. The cables in this embodiment extend from the cylinder 30 over roller 25′ on the upper surface of the arcuate tracks, around the outer edge of the tracks and terminate at the sleeve 38.

When the user pulls the sleeve 38 around the track whether by the handle or by forward movement of the forearm placed in the cuff, the cable is drawn under resistance from the cylinder 30 similarly as with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

The tracks of the apparatus may extend over the chair rather than behind it as shown in the drawings. In this case, the sleeve may be retained or replaced with a trolley which runs along or over the track or within a groove in the track. An actuator such as for example a pole or extended handle may be fixed to the sleeve or trolley such that one pole depends on either side of the user when seated in the apparatus. Hand grips may be provided on the poles at adjustable heights or the poles may be telescopically arranged such that the height of the pole changes as the user simulates an upper body running action. In one embodiment the handle may be provided with a sleeve or cuff as described in previous embodiments to allow the user to operate the apparatus whilst keeping their hands free.

Actuation of the poles through following the movement of the users arms, causes the sleeves or trollys to reciprocate around the tracks with the cables drawn selectively from the cable transfer device with the appropriate force. The tension on the cables may be adjusted in a known manner to alter the level of workout required. The orientation of the tracks may be independently altered to suit the individual running style of the user and as with previous embodiments, the users arms are unhindered by the tracks whilst the exercise is completed.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4 in which the guide means are in the form of arms 39 which extend on or over either side of the seat. The arms are formed as hollow extrusions of a suitable material such as plastics or stainless steel having a channel passing therethrough. In this embodiment the cables 31 extend between the force transfer device (not whose in this embodiment) through the channels in the guide means and terminate at a handle 40 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 4.)

The arms 39 are independently adjustably mounted on the frame both vertically and laterally such that they can be selectively positioned to suit an individual's running style without inhibiting free movement of the arms. The user sits on the seat 6, grasps the handles 40 and simulates a running action with the arms pulling firstly one cable and then the other from the force transfer device and through the channel of the appropriate arm 30 in turn.

Whilst the apparatus has been described as being particularly suited to rehabilitation during the treatment of lower body injuries, it is envisaged that the apparatus could also be used by anyone seeking an upper body workout.

In a further variation of the apparatus each embodiment could be adapted for wheelchair users. In this case, the vertical back support 5 is removed from the chair and adapted for connection to the back of the wheelchair with suitable clamping means (not shown). With the arms of a wheelchair removed, and the orientation of the guide means 17, 37 adjusted accordingly, the apparatus can be used as described above without the wheelchair restricting the movement of the cables in any way thus providing an effective upper body workout for the user. 

1. An exercise apparatus for providing an upper body workout by simulating an upper body running action, the apparatus comprising a frame, a cable operated force transfer device mounted on the frame, and a guide member extending over the frame, and a manually operable means attached to a free end of the cable, the manually operable means comprising a support member adapted to at least partially surround a forearm of a user and wherein an angle of the guide member relative to the frame is adjustable for deflecting a path of the cable between the force transfer device and the manually operable means so as to suite an upper body running style of the user.
 2. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a pair of guide members are is mounted on the frame.
 3. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is pivotally mounted on the frame.
 4. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for locking the guide member in a selected position relative to the frame.
 5. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a substantially vertical support member upon which the guide member is mounted.
 6. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a substantially horizontal support member upon which the guide member is mounted.
 7. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a seat upon which the user sits to perform an exercise.
 8. The exercise apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the seat is height adjustable.
 9. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 comprising legs for supporting apparatus.
 10. The exercise apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the legs are height adjustable.
 11. The exercise apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the legs are telescopic.
 12. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the force transfer device includes means for adjusting a resistance of the exercise thereby changing an intensity of the workout.
 13. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, the means for adjusting a resistance comprises means for tensioning the cable.
 14. The exercise apparatus according to wherein the guide members comprise one of: arcuate, planar members and tubular members.
 15. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the manually operable means comprises a substantially tubular member which at least partially surrounds the forearm of the user.
 16. The exercise apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the tubular member is provided with an adjustable strap to hold the tubular member in position on the forearm of the user.
 17. The exercise apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the tubular member has an end stop which supports an elbow of the user during the exercise.
 18. The exercise apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the cable is attached to the manually operable means via the end stop.
 19. The exercise apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the manually operable means comprises a dolly adapted for travel along the guide member.
 20. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a roller mounted on an outer surface of the guide member over which the cable runs.
 21. The exercise apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the roller has a waist to maintain the cable in position thereon.
 22. The exercise apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the roller is mounted for rotation on an axle fixed in position between two flanges on the outer surface of the guide member.
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled) 